Hillsdale Local Schools Board of Education: Four candidates running for Hillsdale board seats

Published: October 24, 2007 10:37AM

Originally published 10/24/07

By ANDREW WALDMAN

T-G Staff Writer

A doctor, a small business owner, an in-home daycare provider and a home builder each want a chance to represent the Hillsdale community on Hillsdale Local Schools Board of Education.

The four candidates " incumbents Philip Myers, Ted Sours and Phil Teague and newcomer Ellen Heiby " are running for seats on the board this November.

The seats currently held by Teague and Sours carry four-year terms while Myers' seat has a term expiration of December 2009. Myers filled the seat earlier this year when former board member Kim Edwards was elected an Ashland County commissioner.

Myers and Sours are running for the two four-year seats while Heiby and Teague will face off for the unexpired term.

In responses to candidate questions, three of the four " Sours chose not to respond "praised the district's students, staff and performance on state report cards.

The candidates differed on how they intended to reach the community.

Teague, a home builder and father of three, said he will continue to build relationships with constituents.

"I will strive to understand the concerns within the district, and deliver this information to the board and the superintendent," he said.

Heiby, who said she moved back into the district after being in a larger district, says she'll use her connections with other school organizations to improve communication.

"Since I have one graduate and two children in two different buildings, both of whom are involved in various activities, I get to interact with various people," she said.

Heiby, who is a home daycare provider, also said she "(understands) the need for clear communication from our leadership."

Myers, a vice president at Samaritan Regional Health System, said news media and school publications are a good way to communicate. He also mentioned the "coffees," discussions among constituents and district officials, that are happening throughout the district in the run-up to the election.

He also encouraged constituents to use the already-in-place public participation policy at board meetings.

"I do want to stress that communication is a two-way street and would urge anyone to attend board meetings where time is reserved for public participation," he wrote.

Candidates also discussed the strengths of the district and any unique qualities they think they could bring to the job.

n Contact Andrew Waldman at 419-281-0581, ext. 243, or by e-mail at awaldman@times-gazette.com.

Three of five Hillsdale Local Schoosl Board of Education seats are up for election this November.

Two of the seats carry a four-year term beginning January 2008. One seat, which was vacated in January by then board member and current Ashland County Commissioner Kim Edwards, has a term expiring in December 2009.

The board's responsibilities include overseeing the district's budget, setting policy and hiring a treasurer and superintendent.

1. How can you as a board member improve communication between the board and community?

2. What do you consider the most important part of a good education at Hillsdale?

3. Name two successes you see in the district.

4. What is the role of a school board member?

5. What unique perspective can you offer to the board?

Ellen Heiby

Age: 42

Occupation: In-home daycare provider

Previous offices held: None

Education/qualifications/community involvement: Graduate Ohio State University-Agricultural Technical Institute with an associate's degree in applied science; 1983 graduate of Hillsdale High School; former member of Stone Evangelical Lutheran Church board; past PTO president at Dan Emmett Elementary School (Mount Vernon City Schools); Moms In Touch prayer group member; attends Wooster Church of the Nazarene.

Family: Married to Mick since 1986 with three children: one son, Gregory and two daughters, Tiffany and Bethany.

1.) I feel one of the ways I could improve communication between the board and community is awareness and involvement. Since I have one graduate and two children in two different buildings, both of whom are involved in various activities, I get to interact with a lot of people. As a board member I would be open to the public and share reasons for actions taken so people can be informed.

2.) The most important part of a good education at Hillsdale is preparedness. We need to consider the needs of all our students. Whether they plan to attend a two- or four-year college, enter the military or workforce or return to the family business, our most important job is to prepare our students for whatever they choose to do after high school.

3.) Two successes in Hillsdale's district are our strong parental and community support and the strong teaching staff we have. Both have been and continue to be a positive force in the lives of our children.

4.) The school board member's role is to hire and hold accountable a superintendent that implements the shared vision for the district. The school board member needs to have a clear knowledge of what is going on in the district and needs to research and be informed on the issues involving our district.

5.) The unique perspective I can offer to the board is that of the hometown girl. I was born and raised in the Hillsdale school district, moved away and had my kids in another, much larger school district. I understand the need for clear communication from our leadership. And, not to be overlooked, I can offer a woman's perspective.

Philip Myers

Age: 56

Occupation: Vice President of Medical Affairs, Samaritan Regional Health System

Previous offices held: Appointed to Hillsdale board in 2007; former board member, Ashland County Board of Health

Education/qualifications/community involvement: Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College; graduate of University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; completed residency at Dartmouth.

Family: Married to Ann with one son, Rett.

1.) Communication is always an issue with no single easy solution. Certainly, we will continue to rely on the news media, bulletins and mailings to get information to the community, but we are also instituting a series of "coffees" during which the superintendent and a board member will meet with 10-12 individuals at a host family's home for questions and discussion. I do want to stress that communication is a two-way street and would urge anyone to attend board meetings where time is reserved for public participation and/or to contact myself, other board members or the superintendent to ask questions, relate observations or offer suggestions.

2.) A strong core curriculum is the foundation of a good education and has to be the first priority since it is a fundamental mission of the school system. However, it may also be the most under-appreciated aspect of the education experience because it is expected. Simply meeting expectations produces satisfaction, but exceeding expectations produces a memorable experience. This is where advanced studies, athletics, band, FFA and other opportunities come in and why they generate such enthusiasm and school spirit. Ultimately, the foundation must be maintained and may alone provide adequate education, but we must strive to continue to provide additional opportunities as much as possible in order to ensure a good, well-rounded education.

3.) I could talk about the favorable state report card or about our low cost per student ratio, but two successes I want to mention are the traditionally strong support the community has given the Hillsdale schools and the pride that the community takes in the accomplishments of the students. This is recognized outside of the district, and I am aware of a growing number of people attracted to the area because of the reputation of the schools and the community.

4.) A school board member should refer to and follow the approved policies and procedures when dealing with issues or questions, attempt to find out public opinion on issues and always vote in the best interest of the students of the district, bring all questions to the whole board and support the majority opinion when reached, and make every effort to attend all meetings.

5.) I am not sure that I offer a unique perspective, but I am the product of a private school education and considered the same for my son. For a number of reasons, we decided against it and have not regretted that decision. The education he received at Hillsdale enabled him to achieve his goal of pursuing a degree in engineering at the university of his choice, and by staying he got to experience the close personal friendships and the strong sense of community that are sometimes missing at private schools. My son's experience proved to me the value of our schools to our community, and thereby the importance of supporting them.

Ted Sours (incumbent)

Did not respond

Phil Teague

Age: 30

Occupation: Home builder

Previous offices held: Appointed to board in July 2007

Education/qualifications/community involvement: Graduate of The Ohio State University; Leadership Ashland graduate, Ashland County Park District volunteer; member of Adult Faith Formation Commission at St. Mary's Parish; volunteer teacher for the State of Ohio, home inspection and maintenance; member of Home Builder's Association of Wayne and Holmes County board

Family: Oldest of nine children. Married to Mindy with three children and one due Nov. 6.

1.) In my professional life, my primary focus is to understand my clients' goals, educate, keep informed and develop positive, lasting relationships. I will strive to understand the concerns within the district, and deliver this information to the board and superintendent. I can offer advice towards effective communication based my professional experience.

2.) In order for learning to take place we must have an environment conducive to the delivery and retention of information. The most important part of a good education at Hillsdale is maintained classrooms with appropriate and concurrent instruction from parents, teachers and coaches at each phase of the educational process. We are preparing our children for life, and that's an awesome responsibility.

3.) Hillsdale is a good district because we have good people. The successes I see are state report cards indicating that quality education is occurring in the classrooms and a well-managed school system that is looking to the future both in education and economics. Although my education continues, overall I see stability and forward movement in these areas. I would like to thank those involved in making a positive difference in Hillsdale. The old saying goes: It takes a village to raise a child. There is true wisdom in those words.

4.) I have been given the privilege to serve as a board member for Hillsdale School District since July of this year. My primary role as school board member is to actively evaluate the concerns of the district relevant to the board, deliver that information to the board and superintendent and offer advice in decision making. I am a representative for the district, and my first duty of service is a consideration of our children and their education.

5.) The Hillsdale School District has been recently contacted by the Ohio Schools Facility Commission (OSFC) to assess our school buildings. This means that we will be given the opportunity to understand if the buildings can be brought up to date, if they recommend the construction of new buildings, or a combination. I am a home builder, and understand the benefits and challenges that are involved in all aspects of both new construction and remodeling. If building is in our future, it will involve a district-wide effort to determine how we move forward. I feel I can offer sound advice as we work through the process.

Ted Sours did not provide biographical information or answers to questions to the Times-Gazette.